BALASURIYA, Ranjit Sirimanne - “This world is shrouded in darkness. Here, only a few can see their way free. These few birds escape from the net, and fly away to the heavens.” –Lord Buddha
Birth: February 25th, 1927 - Passing: March 8th, 2021
It is with profound sadness that our family mourns the peaceful passing of Ranjit Sirimanne Balasuriya on March 8, 2021.
Loving husband of Indra (decreased); precious father of Nihal (deceased) and Damayanthi; respected father-in-law to Neranjala and Premaratne; cherished grandfather to Oshani, Eranga, Harith, Minoli, and Sumudu; and adored great-grandfather to Achelle, Anique and Savin.
Thatha lived a remarkable 94 years. Born in Veyangoda, Sri Lanka in 1927, he worked as a dedicated civil engineer in the irrigation department. There, Thatha developed lifelong friendships while working predominantly in rural Sri Lanka beginning in the early 1950s. As a way of giving back to his hometown, Thatha helped numerous residents of Veyangoda secure jobs.
He eventually moved to Toronto, Canada upon the unexpected passing of his wife Indra Balasuriya in 1990. Thatha’s drive to help others was one of his most cherished qualities. He volunteered tirelessly in the community throughout the 1990s, including teaching primary-grade students English, participating as a member of the Toronto Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, actively engaging in Scarborough regional politics, and assisting in home-support services for the elderly and disabled for the city of Scarborough.
Due to his exceptional volunteer service, he was celebrated as an honouree member in the International Year of Volunteers for Ontario in 2001. He also would help new immigrants of Toronto, from assisting with paperwork to ensuring essential community services were provided to them.
Thatha had always been a great devotee of his faith. One of Thatha’s proudest achievements was in volunteering wholeheartedly to teach Buddhism and help oversee the construction of Buddhist temples both in Sri Lanka and Canada to help future generations who seek refuge in the Noble Triple Gem. While residing in Sri Lanka, he had been a lead organizer in the construction of the Dehiwala Pinnwatha temple. Once he moved to Battaramulla, Thatha continued his Buddhist activities at the Jayanthipura Buddhist association where he helped construct the Jayanthipura Buddhist Sanga Sabha. In Toronto, Thatha continued this noble deed, by helping in the construction of the Toronto Maha Vihara of Scarborough.
Thatha was a gentle soul who lived his life with selflessness, mindfulness, graciousness, wit, humour, and dignity. He learned of the world’s pain and suffering with the untimely passing of his mother at a tender age as well as his beloved wife and son. In honouring his losses, he found happiness in his own life by directing the greatest care toward his family and his community.
Thatha’s strong mindset and determination provided us with a model with which to live a virtuous and joyous life. His mental agility was sharp until the end. Always welcome to a game of chess, he taught the game to his entire family and many friends. He loved playing cards, billiards, bowling, and most of all spending time with his family, dancing, laughing, and partaking in mischief alongside his loving great grandchildren.
While coping with the deep pain from our loss, we hope to honour Thatha’s legacy by living a life of peace, virtue, and service as he did.
We are so grateful to the dedicated medical professionals who cared for Thatha and whom he so respected and appreciated, as well. Thank you so much Dr. Siva Ponsivaji, Mrs. Siva Chandrakanthan, Dr. El-Hammami, and Dr. Sunil Dissanayake for your kindest and most fervent efforts to look after Thatha’s health.
Thatha’s life was a message of true joy and bliss. With gratitude to the Maha Sanga, a celebration of his life and Buddhist ceremonies in Thatha’s name will be held at a later date when conditions permit.
A private cremation ceremony will be held March 11th. Arrangements entrusted with Ogden Funeral Home, Scarborough.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly request to consider a donation to any of the following: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Canadian Diabetes Association, and the Toronto Maha Vihara Buddhist temple of Scarborough.
May these noble deeds of a lifetime grant him the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
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